The Rockwren is the only surviving species in the genusXenicus, and is thought to have been closely related to the formerly more widespread Bushwren. Like the Bushwren and the Rifleman it is a poor flier, rarely flying more than two metres off the ground or for distances or more than 30 m. It is highly terrestrial, feeding in low scrub and open scree and rockfalls in alpine areas.

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A University of Otago study of over 2,000 sightings between 1912 and 2005 showed that areas the wren inhabited had declined by 24% since 1984.[2]

In 2008, nine rock wren were translocated to Secretary Island, a predator free island in Fiordland. Over the following two years a total of 40 rock wren were transferred onto the island.[3] In 2010, a survey located twelve unbanded rock wren on Secretary Island, indicating they had started breeding successfully.[4]